Main Article Content
Knowledge and attitude towards voluntary counseling and testing for HIV: A community based study in northwest Ethiopia
Abstract
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practice of the community on VCT for HIV and prevention of Mother-to-Child transmission (PMTCT).
Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice towards VCT for HIV and PMTCT. A total of 992 subjects residing in urban and rural Kebeles were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire.
Results: 89.9% of the respondents were aware that one can check her/his HIV status. However, less number of them, i.e. 732 (73.8%) knew about the availability of VCT services. Urban dwellers were found to be more willing than rural villagers to undergo testing for HIV. The majority of women (426, 85.5%) specified their willingness to take antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy to protect vertical transmission if they are seropositive.
Conclusion: Level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS seems to be high among the study community. However, there are still wrong interpretations and misunderstanding about modes of transmission and preventive methods. The result could be used as a baseline data for instituting VCT and PMTCT activities. [Ethiop.J.Healh Dev. 2004;18(2):82-89]